Cassette Concealing Hidden Injection Needle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pre-filled hypodermic syringes with exposed needles deter users due to needle aversion and safety concerns, and existing spring-loaded injectors lack variability in force application for different medications and viscosities, complicating complete drug delivery.
Innovation Solution
A system using pre-loaded cassettes with concealed needles and dual motors to control the syringe's position and fluid expulsion, allowing for adjustable force requirements and easy assembly, ensuring the needle remains hidden during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pre-filled hypodermic syringes with exposed needles are used, then the syringe can be easily operated and prepared with exact dosage, but users are frightened by the exposed needle and feel incapable of performing injection
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is extracted from the user's view by concealing it within a cassette housing. The syringe remains functional but the needle is hidden during storage and transport, only becoming exposed when the cassette is activated by the drive mechanism, thereby eliminating needle aversion while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The syringe is nested within the cassette housing, with the needle concealed inside the cassette body. This nested structure allows the syringe to be contained and hidden within the larger cassette assembly, presenting a needle-free appearance to the user while maintaining access to the functional components
2Object-affected harmful factors
If spring-loaded injectors are used to conceal needles, then the needle remains hidden, but the force cannot be varied for different medications and viscosities
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is made adjustable through a control assembly that allows the user to modify the spring's pre-compression force. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same device to accommodate different medications and viscosities by varying the force applied during injection, while maintaining needle concealment throughout
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of spring force is made variable through the control assembly. By adjusting the pre-compression distance or spring tension, the force delivery profile can be changed to match different medication requirements, transforming a fixed-force spring system into an adaptable one
3Device complexity
If a single spring is used for both needle insertion and fluid expulsion, then the device is simpler, but the force requirements for these two functions are different and cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The injection function is segmented into two separate mechanical actions: one motor controls the plunger for fluid expulsion, while another mechanism handles needle deployment and retraction. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently with appropriate force characteristics, ensuring reliable complete drug delivery while maintaining reasonable device complexity
4Ease of operation
If the needle is exposed during injection, then the injection can be performed, but safety issues and user fear prevent self-administration
Solution Approach 1:
The potential harm of needle exposure is converted into benefit by using the drive mechanism's controlled activation to expose the needle only when needed, then automatically retracting it. The mechanism that could potentially cause harm (exposed needle) is transformed into a safety feature through automated control and concealment during non-use periods
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe, easy, and cost-effective self-administration of medications by concealing the needle and accommodating different force needs, ensuring complete drug delivery and user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a first motor is provided for moving the syringe from the concealed position to the extended position
Implementation Method 2
a second motor is provided for pushing the stopper on the syringe to expel fluid medicament from the syringe
Data Source
AI summary
A system for injecting a fluid medicament into a patient includes a drive mechanism, and a cassette loaded with a pre-filled hypodermic syringe. When the cassette is loaded, the syringe is held firmly inside and the cassette can be selectively engaged with the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism has two motors. A first motor initially moves the hypodermic syringe from a position inside the cassette where its needle is concealed, to a position where the needle extends from the cassette for insertion into a patient for an injection. With the needle inserted, a second motor pushes the syringe stopper to expel a fluid medicament from the syringe. After an injection, the first motor withdraws the syringe back into concealment inside the cassette, to again firmly hold the syringe on the cassette. The cassette and syringe, in combination, can then be removed from the drive mechanism and discarded.